We had the good fortune of connecting with Bud, Maggie & Matthew Hird and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Bud, Maggie & Matthew, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
We always thought about starting our own business and were challenged by others to actually do it. At our son’s swim meet in Maryland, we saw an image that gave us an idea that was the premise of our entire business – to tie the state flag with images that people like and connected with their lifestyles. We started out with a Maryland flag rockfish magnet and decal, and then designed a Maryland flag crab. The crab took off and our business was off to a good start locally.
We started adding new states and new images to our product line-up, especially states with great flag designs. We discovered that if people like the image, they will display it. Our products became a lifestyle brand since customers connected first with their state flag, and next with their favorite pet, vehicle, or hobby.
People love their flag in Colorado just like they do in Maryland. A ski trip to Colorado sparked our Colorado flag line up.
Our product line grew from magnets and decals, to shirts, hats, and accessories. Bud is our resident artist and loves to create new designs. Eventually, our son joined the business and we operate it out of our barn on our farm.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Bud comes from a retail and sales background but always had an interest in art, from wood carving, to artistic designs. Bud handles sales and design for Fish Outa Water. Maggie spent her corporate career in human resources and found she had a secret knack for sales (best listener of the bunch) and the administrative side of the business. Matthew worked for us all through High School and College, and is now a part-owner and has a talent for operations and shirt-making.
We really believed in our product and designs, as well as exceeding customer expectations. It is always exciting to see someone’s car with our magnet on the back, or seeing them wear our shirts and hats. Small businesses can scale easier than a larger one and we’ve been able to react to customer needs and lifestyle trends.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’re partial to the Colorado ski towns in both the winter and summer. We like driving out to the mountains and experiencing the scenery that is so different from Maryland.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We dedicate our shoutout to the small business owners who said “yes” in the beginning when others said “no.” Our customers who gave us ideas to help shape our product line with millions of suggestions, some of which we used. A special shoutout to the states who made it easy with flags that lend themselves to cool designs.
Website: https://www.fishoutawater.com/
Instagram: CrabsOutaFlags
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crabs-Outa-Flags/100036881516998/
Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Fishoutawater1?ref=shop_sugg (check out our 5-star reviews on Etsy)